Post 4: Kuala Lumpur- Mud and Mosques

Kuala Lumpur is a big, bustling city of over a million people and just as many taxis, buses and shopping centers. The name Kuala Lumpur literally means “muddy confluence”. The city is so called because it is situated at the confluence of Gombak River (earlier Lumpur River) and Klang River. There are 3 main ethnic groups and religions: the Malay, Chinese, and Indian and Muslim, Buddhist and Hindu.  The restaurants & architecture reflect this. We went shopping in the Chinese area called Petaling Street, shopped in the Central Market, which features wonderful Malaysian folk crafts, visited the National Museum & monument, taking buses & taxis all around the city. Pictures tell the story better:

 Two muddy Rivers Mosque



Two Rivers Mosque- at the confluence of the 2 muddy rivers.

            Fin & Deb pose with Petronas Towers in the background

Suria KLCC Shopping Center by the Convention Center 







                                 



Deb with statuary

Malay kites -Central Market


 The Central Market held wonderful Malaysian treasures, from kites to  batiks, carvings to instruments. Of course I got a traditional Malaysian hand drum, a kompang, considered the most popular ethnic Malay musical instrument.

At Central Market among Malay crafts

We watched craftsmen creating batik prints on silk, carefully painting on wax and dyes.

applying wax designs



hand painting dye


  

finished batik on silk

The National Museum featured items & instruments from the 3 main ethnicities in Malaysia. A Chinese Bridal bed, Indian instruments, Malay shadow puppetry, and so on. 


Chinese bridal bed scene

Indian horn players in museum



Indian  horns on display

models making Dewali designs 

  Malaysia is a constitutional democracy with an elected monarch. Since 1993, the full title of the king in Malay has been, Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong (His Conqueror Majesty The Supreme Lord of the Federation). Prior to that, the honorific Ke Bawah Duli Yang Maha Mulia (The Dust Under The Feet Of His Majesty) was also used! His Majesty uses this palace when  in town.

 Royal Palace gates in K.L with horse guard.

Royal Palace Guard-the dust under his feet?



We did more sightseeing in and around K.L but now its time for a new post & adventures in rural Malaysia....lets go to the bat caves in Borneo!